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Algarrobos House by Jose Maria Saez and Daniel Moreno Flores

Located in the mountains of Ecuador

I was interested in this project because I was curious about how they got those massive steel beams to fit so perfectly together. I actually found a video of the construction crew hoisting the beams individually into place with a crane. I can only imagine how much time it took to lay out the foundation and get all of the massive beams placed correctly. This residence is set out to connect the user with reality, which I think it communicates well.

The exterior feature two massive beams standing vertically on the side and in the middle of the structure. They allow people looking through photos to get a sense of scale. They also provoke a feeling of industrial uses, which could be part of the connection to reality. Many things are being mass produced these days and maybe the excessive use of the large steel beams is a constant reminder. The way the home is built into the hill side is very creative and I think the steel beams allow this to be possible because they can be placed in any way that is necessary, and also provide a good foundation.

The large outdoor space on the second floor seems as if it would be a great conversationalist piece. The stepping blocks across the water invite people to walk across it and further explore the house.

The interior is highlighted from the exterior through the use of large windows that appear to wrap around the entire house to allow residents to constantly be taking the beautiful view of Ecuadorian mountains and hills. I especially like the location of the dining room table. It sort of reminds me of House Ocho by Feldman Architects. The view from the table is just spectacular and incredible. I do not think I would actually eat anything if I had the pleasure of being invited into this home. I would be too busy taking in my surroundings. Another room I would like to point out is the bedroom. The consideration for bring the outside "in" is really clear here. I can not even imagine how nice it would be to wake up to a view like that every morning. The clarity of the view through the windows is a great element of the home. It delivers an unobstructed view of the surroundings from the safety of your home. This seems to a prominent theme in almost all of the homes I have discusses in my journal this semester. I have also managed to be interesting in homes that usually use all natural materials or at least some throughout the exterior and interior of the homes.

A Life With A Large Opening by Osamu Nishida and Naoko Mangyoku

Located in Nezu, Bunkyo-Ku, Tokyo, Japan.

This home was built in an effort to make the most out of a very small space. The architects decided to build vertically in two separate spaces. This decisions was made because they felt that it was important to have some type of outdoor space as a feature of the residence. Therefore, they very uniquely generated the idea of two separate spaces that were connected by some sort of pathway that crosses the void in between the two parts of the home.

I can not definitively tell what grey colored material was used for the exterior, however it conveys a sleek, modern, minimalist look. Which seems to be the theme that is carried out through both spaces. The outdoor space in between the two parts of the home is the most critical aspect of the design. It allows for natural light to enter the home and for proper ventilation to happen. This space being in a central location also makes it impossible to ignore. You are constantly reminded that it is there and available for your use.

The interior appears to be have very different styles throughout the house. There are a few rooms in the photos that appear as if they were taken out an old Victorian home. Then there are room like the kitchen that seem to be very modern and bright. Additionally, there are very whimsical aspects to the residence which I find inviting and entertaining. For example, the stairs going up the wall for the cat is such a whimsical but thoughtful detail to add to the home.

Overall, the home is uniquely designed to fit the small space it rests on. The interior incorporates modern rooms as well as rooms with a more historical look. Along with a few whimsical elements along the way. However, more importantly it features an outdoor space in between the two living spaces, which has many advantages.

Villa SSK by Takeshi Hirobe Architects

Located in Chiba, Japan

I was originally draw to the asymmetrical shapes used in on the exterior of this residence. I also liked the simplicity of of the residence from the outside. It fits in the surrounding space perfectly and really seems to blend in. The dark and natural tones of the exterior really seem to fit in with the blue tones from the body of water behind the home.

The exterior of the home is made of galvanized steel sheets that seem to be layered in a way that make them look like wood. However, the use of steel gives the residence a more modern and sleek look instead of the traditional and natural look that wood has. I also noticed the incredibly accessible garage. It appears that the architects really planned carefully and strategically. The every day user of the residence can easily pull their car into the garage and enter the home. Then from the garage you are invited to make your way through the courtyard, which consists of a very naturally placed reflecting pool. The reflecting pool seems to be playing with the idea of bring the water closer to the home than it already is and incorporating it. This home also uses large glass windows as a skin for entire pieces of the home. These glass windows reveal the exposed wood beams on the interior and allow people to have an unobstructed view of the water from the interior. While making your way through the courtyard the guest rooms are just off to the side almost as soon as you enter. I find this to be very inviting and a great design idea. The guest room is placed near the entrance, yet in its own separated part of the home for privacy.

Moving to the interior of the home, the ceilings and the angle at which the wooden beam are placed at seem to create the illusion that the ceiling is much higher than it really is. The use of very raw and natural looking wood adds a certain dynamic to the home that allows it to blend it with the body of water behind it that is such a natural element itself. Also the use of different tones of very natural looking wood allows for visually pleasing spaces. I would also like to point out that from the interior the space does not give the asymmetrical feeling that I originally got from the exterior of the home. From the interior all of the rooms seem to flow naturally into one another and have the appropriate spaces for the type of room they want.

One of my favorite spaces in this home is the loft bedroom. It reminds me of an unfinished space, yet this adds a unique aspect to the space that gives it a more personal character vs. a finished look. The ocean view from the bedroom loft and bath tub are just spectacular. The unfinished wood over the bath tub seems to frame the ocean for you in a beautiful and natural way.

Sentosa House by Nicholas Burns

Located in Singapore

This residence immediately caught my eye because of its massive size and irregular shape. I also was curious about the recycled teak planks and if they had a functional purpose or were just on the exterior for visual purposes.

The entire structure is mainly concrete. The architects wanted to use as many natural materials as possible in an effort to reduce the work that would have to be done in order to make man made materials fit into the project. They appreciated the natural ornament in natural materials and took advantage of them. They were particularly interested in using different types of natural stone.

The exterior is mainly all concrete, however there are recycled teak planks applied to the outer edges of the residence. These planks do have a functional purpose. They are there to disrupt the direct sunlight so that it does not come through the house unobstructed at the same time. I would also imagine they help cool the house during the hot months because they prevent too much natural light/ heat from entering the home. The shape of the residence immediately reminded me of a stadium speaker. Where the shape expands as it gets father away from the back of the home. Once again, this home feature very large windows on the entire front facade in order to allow light to enter the space and I would imagine to allow the residents to always feel some connection to the outside.The soft storey like space on the ground level houses a garage and a reflecting pool.

The use of natural materials is continued to the interior. The use of wood floors, a concrete roof, and various other stones that are visible throughout the house provide a natural feel, but at the same time create textural differences in their natural state. It is very clear that the recycled teak planks almost act as natural blinds for the windows. The second tear of the home is a more private living space. The master bedroom is located in the back of the home where it is more private. Then as you move closer to the reflecting pool side of the home, the interior spaces become more public and visible from the outside. It is a very well thought out piece of architecture to be able to accommodate certain needs while still being a sustainable building that reveals many natural and simple characteristics.

"Broken pitched roof house" by NKS Architects

Located in Nakatsu, Japan.

This is a home designed by NKS Architects in Japan. The most unique part about this residence is that all of the rooms are divided by four very large concrete walls. These walls are both structural and functional at the same time. They are curved in a way that allows them to support the hipped roof that the residence has, but also function as a partition for the different spaces in the home.

The exterior seems to be extremely minimalistic. However, the roof is a rather spectacular element of this residence. It is a concrete hipped roof. The curvature of the roof gives the house an elegant feel and while still allowing the home to look more traditionally Japanese. The use of large glass windows around all the spaces created by the concrete walls allows the inhabitants to experience all of the natural elements surrounding them, while still feeling safe inside their own home. In a way this home seems to be bringing the outdoors in. Another feature of the of the roof is a skylight that is located directly in the center of the roof to provide as much natural sunlight to the entire house as possible.

The interior is by far a very unique one. The plan is open, yet more structured at the same time. Since the individual spaces are created by the near joining of two of the concrete walls that span across the entire residence there are clearly defined spaces. However, it does appear that it would not be difficult to change the purpose of a room into whatever was necessary. It also appears to be an easy house to navigate your way around in since everything culminates at a central point where the skylight is. This also reminds me of FL Wright and his idea of designing a house around the hearth. Here it seems that the residence was built around the skylight and the natural light it provided.

As far as materials used in the interior they seem to be mostly natural. The exposed concrete beams/ walls are by far the most interesting aspect of the interior. The way they curve up just right so that they are able to support the concrete hipped roof. The use of wood for the floor, doors, and trim is also adding another natural element of texture.

Overall, I think this house is a magnificent and creative design that could be utilized in other settings. It might be a good medium for offices that do not want to move to an entirely open plan, but want to allow their offices to be open a bit more.

Lefebvre-Smyth Residence by CEI Architecture

Located in Kaleden, B.C.

This residence is a single family home that is designed to be a sustainable piece of architecture. According to CEI's website, "due to the slope of the terrain, the building footprint was minimized in order to reduce a complex foundation construction." Therefore, CEI had to be very creative with their design in order for the residence to be functional but also sustainable.

The exterior is visually appealing because of the very irregular shapes that culminate together to make one cohesive building. The cantilevered section adds an element of grandness to the residence as well as adding a dimension of height. I can not tell from the photos what the main material used for the skin of the exterior was. However, I would imagine that it would be a natural material given the goal of sustainability. Also, like the Caterpillar House, the underside of the roof reveals exposed wood with a light finish to it. Upon first glance, the two sections of the home appeared to be asymmetrical, however upon further glances, they seem to be much more symmetrical in size than I had thought originally. The difference between the angle of the roofs on both parts of the residence really invite you to think about what you are looking at.

The website mentions that TJIs were used to support the wood deck that is part of the cantilevered section of the house. This second tier of the house appears to be the more conventional living space for the family. Whereas the first floor seems to be more for recreation. I can see in one of the photos a few workout machines, which would suggest a home gym on the ground floor. This house also features incredibly large amount of windows that allow the residents to grasp everything their surroundings have to offer without going outside.

I could only find one photo of the interior. From this photo the interior appears to be very modern, but minimalist. There does not appear to be any extra decorations around or any furniture that is not essential to the immediate needs of individuals. The light colored wood seen on the underside of the roof appears to be similar to the wood used for the flooring and window/ doorway trim. Other than that, the interior just seem to be very simple and functional.

Open Box 2 by Feldman Architects

Located in San Fransisco, California

I realize my journal is turning out to be a "Feldman Architects" themed journal by now. However, I am fascinated by all of the projects.

Feldman's website describes this project as "Open Box 2 involved modernizing a boxy 1940s stucco house. The original house was a series of small, dark rooms with a completely unfinished ground floor and little connection to the outdoors."

It is interesting to discover that Feldman also modernizes houses in addition to designing brand new homes. I would argue that it also shows their versatility and willingness to bring some of the new to the old.

The "before" photo illustrates just how much work was done to this house in order to totally modernize it. Actually, on Feldman's website, the "before" photo is last in the set of photos so I was not aware of the incredible transformation the house went through until then. The website also explains that the house was very dark and had small rooms, and the bottom floor was not finished.

Therefore, Feldman's goal was to completely open up the space and then modernize it. The exterior was transformed into two visually appealing, slightly asymmetrical boxes. These boxes are both skinned with a toned down brushed concrete look. This brushed concrete adds a very unique and rough texture to the exterior, which is then countered by the smooth texture of the brushed metal that is used to trim the windows and certain edges of the house. This house also features large windows that allow tons of light to enter the house. Another feature from the exterior is the clearly defined space for the staircases. Feldman choosing to feature this reminds me of FL Wright's Larkin Building. Also the back side of those house features large bi-folding doors that allow the space to open up directly into the back yard, or be closed for privacy.

Since many of the walls were taken down in order to open up the space, the home now features an open floor plan. Light white oak is featured for the material used for the floor. Additionally, in the kitchen Italian oak cabinetry was used. Then, to add a different texture to the kitchen, round glass tiles were place on the wall of the kitchen. I also notice that the skylight seems to be placed in a very strategic position to allow natural light to get to as many areas as possible. The windows placement also seems to be strategically though out to accommodate for private and public areas of the home. For example, the windows in the bedroom are placed so that you do not get a direct view of the bed, whereas the large bi-folding doors were placed on the first level as part of the family room.

Overall, this house seems to capture its surroundings through the enormous skylight, large windows, and bi-folding doors. Thus, revealing Feldman staying true to their design approach. They seem to be very consistent with their use of materials and environmentally friendly spaces.

For more photos: http://www.feldmanarchitecture.com/work/open-box-2

House Ocho by Feldman Architecture

Located in a nature preserve in the Santa Lucia Mountains in Carmel, California

I have chosen yet another Feldman Architecture home to discuss this week. As soon as I discovered this home was located in a nature preserve I knew that it was Feldman's "cup of tea". I was curious about the preserve they built the home on. So upon further research, I discovered that preserve actually includes a ranch club and golf club, as well as very high end real estate.

Originally, I only saw the first photo when going through projects that Feldman has completed. I was intrigued by the obvious attention that was put on making the house blend in with its stunning surroundings. Down to very specific details such as adding grass to the roof to invoke a feeling that the house belongs in this area. The Feldman Architects stay true to their design approach on this project. They continue their use of all natural and traditional materials, just as they did with the Caterpillar House.

The exterior appears to consist of various materials. Wood treated to look grey seems to be the material used the most for the siding on the house. Also like the Caterpillar House, this house features giant windows that surround the entire home. They make it possible to enjoy the elements of the surroundings from the safety of your home. The Feldman Architects also feature exposed I-Beams that are treated to look very sleek, adding yet another textural element to the exterior of the home. One of my favorite features of the exterior space is the very rustic and industrial looking outdoor fireplace. I think that it is such an incredible feature that adds that element of hearth to the home, which reminds me of FL Wright and his style of designing his homes around the fireplace or hearth.

Before you enter the house there is a very large unconventional "front door". This front door really opens up the house directly into the outdoors, therefore also inviting people in from the outdoors.

The interior features an open floor plan. Although there are clearly defined areas such as the kitchen and family room which features an identical fireplace to the one that is outdoors. The more in depth I get into analyzing this home, the more I think that FL Wright would love to live here if he were still alive. Getting back on track, the interior also features exposed I-Beams, wood, and concrete floors. From the photos the ceiling also appears to be very high, which opens the space up tremendously.

Another favorite element to the design is the dining table. The view from the table is close to an entire panoramic view of the beautiful surroundings. I would also imagine that during the day when the house is filled with natural light that it really opens up the house directly into the outdoors.

I am just amazed at the elegance the natural light distributes throughout the house. Yet, at the same time, the simplicity of the design and materials create a very unique persona for this home.

More photos can be found here: http://www.feldmanarchitecture.com/work/house-ocho

Caterpillar House by Feldman Architecture located in Carmel, California

Taken from their website this is the Feldman Architecture Firm's design approach: "For Feldman Architecture, beauty is found in quiet understated forms, expressive structure, timeless materials, and carefully resolved details. The firm's designs celebrate light-filled open spaces with a strong connection to the site and landscape. With each project, a contemporary modern approach to design is expressed as respect for the existing conditions combined with a fascination for finding innovative solutions which meet the client's needs. Traditional material palettes, such as concrete, wood, and steel, are used throughout projects in conjunction with new materials with an eye towards creating timeless forms." They also mention that they encourage clients to have energy saving homes that are environmentally friendly.

I decided to include the Feldman design approach because I noticed that the Caterpillar house seem to showcase their approach accurately. The home seems to allow its natural surroundings and natural vegetation to surround it freely as if the home was built there hundreds of years ago. Starting with the exterior, it is evident that the use of wood is used generously throughout the interior and is also used as a skin for the bottom side of the roof. I find that the angle and subtle curvature the roof showcases are aesthetically pleasing when combined together into one piece. It adds an elegant element to a home that is very natural and environmentally friendly. The use of exposed I-Beams adds a more rugged and man made element to the home. The exposed I-Beams also provide a different texture and feel than the wood does. Additionally, concrete is also used on the exterior of the house. The concrete appears to be treated, but it still gave me the impression that it was made to look very natural to add to that element of the house. The contrast that is created between these three different materials is also present in the interior.

The interior of the home utilizes all of the same "traditional" materials that the Feldman design approach claims they like to use. The exposed I-Beams are showcased throughout the house and are clearly used for structural purposes. I am reminded of the Chicago Skyscrapers when I see an extensive use of I-Beams in a home. However, unlike the Skyscrapers, the architects did not want to hide the beauty that exposed pieces of structural elements can add to a design. The use of very large and almost panoramic windows allows the individuals in the house to constantly be taking in their beautiful surroundings, while remaining in the comfort of a home. These large windows also invite extreme amounts of light to enter the home, which I would imagine is part of the environmentally friendly aspect of the design because the individuals in the home would not have to turn any lights on during the day if the weather was cooperative. Feldman continued the use of the treated concrete into the interior as a material for the floor and occasionally for the walls. Overall, I really think that the decision to use the same materials on the exterior of the house as the interior was an effective choice. All of the elements seem to mesh well together. The exposed wood on the exterior of the house on the bottom side of the roof seems to invite you in as it spans across the entire ceiling.

I would like to highlight the photo that was taken just before night time. The contrast between all of the different materials is very evident in this photo. I also find the home to be particularly welcoming in this photo because the lights seem to illuminate the home in just enough light so you can identify what it is, but not so much that it takes over the space.

Additional photos can be found here: http://www.feldmanarchitecture.com/work/caterpillar

The Feldman Firms design approach can be found here: http://www.feldmanarchitecture.com/index.php

House on the Park by Buchanan Architects

I can not seem to find the physical location of this house anywhere on the internet. However, if I had to make an educated guess I could assume it was somewhere in Texas based on other projects being located mostly in Texas by this firm.

I was interested in this house because I saw the first picture and was confused about its significance to the house. Then I realized it was the inspiration for their entire design. The relation between the darker wood and the lighter colored wood is shown throughout the interior and exterior of the house.

This house seems to be very geometrical. Buchanan really takes the inspiration from the two blocks of wood and implements it directly into the shape of the house. Just by first glance at the exterior of the home all of the elements seem to be square or rectangular in shape. Even the steps that lead to the front door.

The contrast between the rich, dark wood used on the one portion of the house and the white cinder block lower portion. I was definitely surprised to see that Buchanan decided to use white cinder blocks for the exterior. Mainly because it is usually associated with college dormitories and more industrial uses. However, I do believe that it works for this project. It creates a visual separation between the two sections of the home and also adds a difference in texture to the exterior. Using long rectangular shaped windows and large square windows only continues the rectangular/ square theme taken from the original inspiration.

The interior of the house seems to have a fairly open floor plan. There are defined spaces by walls and partitions, however it is not strictly evident what these spaces should be used for. Buchanan continues the light vs. dark theme to the interior of the house. The relationship between the dark colors of the wood and pure white colors of the walls and ceiling allows the interior to constantly be visually interesting.

Also the way the second floor of the house is sort of open to the first is significant to the original inspiration. The one side of the block was backed by the wood under it, while the other side was open to it's surroundings. This is exactly what this potion of the second floor illustrates. I would imagine that this would also be useful in an entertaining situation. It would promote free communication between a large space.

I would also like to point out the use of all available space. Buchanan does not seem to waste any space in this house. Even in the hallway there are drawers and storage. Additionally, in the bathroom there is what appears to be a closet directly built into the backside, which is visually communicated with the difference in texture and color.

More photos can be found here: http://www.buchananarchitecture.com/architecture/houseonthepark/

#modern architecture

lackofkitsch

The Kunsthaus Graz museum in Graz, Austria, by Peter Cook and Colin Fournier. One of my favorite museum designs ever.

http://www.arcspace.com/architects/cook/

mostlymodernarchitecture-blog

When I first saw a photo of this new museum in Austria I was immediately intrigued by it. The unusual shape and skin of the museum make it very unique. Upon reading further about the museum and its design, I learned that the lights that are visible are part of an architectural concept called "BIX". "BIX is a matrix of 930 fluorescent lamps integrated into the eastern Plexiglas facade of the Kunsthaus. Through the possibility to individually adjust the lamp's brightness at an infinite variability with 20 frames/second images, films and animations can be displayed. Thus the original architectural concept of the skin was radically redefined transforming the facade into a low resolution computer display, a "communicative display skin", fusing architecture, technology and information." The integration with such innovative technology into the architectural elements of this museum seems to be what makes it such a unique building. It is mainly a museum for art related shows, so the venue, which is a showcase by itself, would really be practical for this use. There are two large exhibition rooms inside. The portal like holes on top are not just for show. They are strategically slanted towards the north in order to allow as much natural light into the building as possible. There are also "isolated transparent window areas" that allow visitors to have a clear view of the city. This is an important element to the design, because otherwise I would imagine visitors would feel enclosed in this museum if these transparent windows did not exist.

raggamindcontrol

project info:

project name: plett 6541 + 2 location: the robberg, plettenberg bay, garden route, south africa architects: SAOTA - stefan antoni olmesdahl truen architects project team: stefan antoni, philip olmesdahl & bobby hugill interior design: daniela priebatsch & emi cavalieri completion date: 2010 photographs: SAOTA

mostlymodernarchitecture-blog

This house was designed by SAOTA in Plettenberg Bay, South Africa. The house was completed in 2010. SAOTA seem to be a very popular architecture firm that have completed projects in various areas of the Eastern Hemisphere.

This house seems to be designed around the natural terrain that it resides on. All of the natural vegetation appears to naturally surround the house as if it had been there for hundreds of years.

The exterior of the house appears to be constructed of natural looking wood and reinforced concrete. Immediately, I was drawn to the enormous swimming pool that stretches around the house. It seems to be mimicking the vast body of water that can be seen in the distance. The outdoor living space next to the pool is also very practical. Part of it is covered in order to protect the space and the people using it from natural weather elements. Yet, at the same time it is open enough to allow the user to fully experience the breathtaking views around them. Additionally, adding to the shell of the home are the large glass windows. I would image that from the interior of the house they would allow you to continue to take in all of the elements of your surroundings from the inside. Especially from the penthouse which is the more private and personal living space situated above the main floor.

There are two part to the house, the main floor and the penthouse up above. The main floor has a very open feel to it. The covered areas naturally flow out into the outdoor space. The open floor plan on the main floor seems to be very effective. Having the bar immediately lead into an entertaining area with a TV is very practical. Additionally, it seems practical to have the dining area just inside from the pool terrace because I imagine it would be very accessible when entertaining.

The penthouse is visually presented as a private space. It is elevated about the main floor of the house. From the pictures provided, the penthouse appears to be an open living area too, however, there seem to be sliding doors that can transform the space into a more private one when desired. It is also important to mention that the bedroom pictured has a direct view of the massive body of water and takes full advantage of its surroundings.

After seeing this house and analyzing it I get the sense that it is becoming increasingly more popular to build homes around its natural surroundings instead of destroying natural surroundings to make room for a house. I also was reminded of Wright's Robie House when I first saw this mainly because of the flat roofs that extend past the main structure. So it is possible that Wright style houses are beginning to inspire architects today.

Additional photos can be found at this link: http://www.saota.com/desktop/project/Plett_6541.html?expanddiv=projects,residential

otherpeoplesthings

First generation BMW 320 (E21, 1975-83). Following up the 2002 is no easy task, and the NHTSA made it more difficult with added cornering lights and extended bumpers. Nevertheless, the clean Teutonic styling shows through. While most of us take BMW’s success in the US for granted, this is the car that really made it official.

Seen in NW Portland

mostlymodernarchitecture-blog

As the original post say, this is the first BMW 3 series. Although the lines on this car are fairly simple, they are very elegant. The elegance of the lines seem to end at the front of the car where all of the lines seem to intersect at the nose of the car. Even though the rear of the car seems rather dull/ uninteresting it allows all of the attention to be focused on the front half of the car. I get the sense from the first 3 series that BMW definitely started a trend with their incredible lines and overall innovation with this car. It was a starting point for many new models to come.

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